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lsparrow's review
4.0
Although I may not follow all her beauty ideas or regimes - I love her approach to finding and embracing your own beauty. She gives very concrete tips and specific style advise but really this is about loving your own style and beauty. I am so inspired by this vintage high femme beauty. Just want I needed to read
sharamine's review
4.0
This book covered a variety of topics but it was done thoroughly and cohesively. Would have minded more of an overview of different POVs regarding eccentric glamour since this focused so heavily on Dita's own aesthetic. She does a good job of explaining her beauty philosophy and applying that consistently to every topic.
The photographs are stunning and Dita's commitment to beauty never failed to amaze.
The photographs are stunning and Dita's commitment to beauty never failed to amaze.
snowblu3's review
1.0
So I got about 13% through the book before abandoning it. I was just way too irritated with it. It was very clear this book was not for me.
"I would never be caught in a tatty robe or sweatpants." Okay. I wear sweats like three times a week and I'm not about to stop.
"Glided on plenty of beige lip gloss." Who speaks about gliding on lip gloss?
"I keep two three-pound weights around to strengthen my arms." Good for her for maintaining her fitness. I have no doubt she is way fitter than I am. But it also annoys me when women stick to tiny weights.
Something about drinking nothing but a green smoothie in the morning. She seems to think there's adequate protein in kale. I'm not buying it.
"The healthier you become, the more beautiful you become." That's a little ableist.
"Watch your gluten intake." I don't have celiac.
"When leaving home for a workout, slip into a coat (a light one if it's warm) or a full skirt. Add a scarf and sunglasses and step into demi heels or ballet flats." LOL! I'm going to wear stretchy pants, Brooks Adrenalines, and a visor to keep the sun from getting into my eyes. I will not be wearing heels while I take my dogs out for our morning constitutionals. When we leave at first light in the summer because it's the only time of day cool enough for little paws, I am absolutely not wearing any weight of coat. It's going to be a tank top for me.
Like I said, this book is clearly not aimed at me.
"I would never be caught in a tatty robe or sweatpants." Okay. I wear sweats like three times a week and I'm not about to stop.
"Glided on plenty of beige lip gloss." Who speaks about gliding on lip gloss?
"I keep two three-pound weights around to strengthen my arms." Good for her for maintaining her fitness. I have no doubt she is way fitter than I am. But it also annoys me when women stick to tiny weights.
Something about drinking nothing but a green smoothie in the morning. She seems to think there's adequate protein in kale. I'm not buying it.
"The healthier you become, the more beautiful you become." That's a little ableist.
"Watch your gluten intake." I don't have celiac.
"When leaving home for a workout, slip into a coat (a light one if it's warm) or a full skirt. Add a scarf and sunglasses and step into demi heels or ballet flats." LOL! I'm going to wear stretchy pants, Brooks Adrenalines, and a visor to keep the sun from getting into my eyes. I will not be wearing heels while I take my dogs out for our morning constitutionals. When we leave at first light in the summer because it's the only time of day cool enough for little paws, I am absolutely not wearing any weight of coat. It's going to be a tank top for me.
Like I said, this book is clearly not aimed at me.
jennystout21's review
2.0
Pretty good guide for makeup and beauty tips if the look you are going for is "high femme". Dita Von Teese strikes me as someone who is "on" all the time and that makes her voice very hard to relate to and a bit annoying when she's telling you that stray nipple hairs are "unacceptable". If you're into neo-burlesque with a less classic flavor and a more queer/punk/fat/"not Dita"-friendly flavor, you'll have to look elsewhere. That said, I'll likely pull up her step-by-step guide to makeup if I'm going for a super glam look.
missysreadingcorner's review
5.0
I loved this book. I absolutely loved it. I love learning about the history of beauty techniques and looking put together in my own life. I've always admired style icons who treated every day as a movie. They were always polished and put together. I enjoyed learning how intense Dita's beauty routines are. I've seen her performances and her dedication pays off.
snowblu3's review against another edition
1.0
So I got about 13% through the book before abandoning it. I was just way too irritated with it. It was very clear this book was not for me.
"I would never be caught in a tatty robe or sweatpants." Okay. I wear sweats like three times a week and I'm not about to stop.
"Glided on plenty of beige lip gloss." Who speaks about gliding on lip gloss?
"I keep two three-pound weights around to strengthen my arms." Good for her for maintaining her fitness. I have no doubt she is way fitter than I am. But it also annoys me when women stick to tiny weights.
Something about drinking nothing but a green smoothie in the morning. She seems to think there's adequate protein in kale. I'm not buying it.
"The healthier you become, the more beautiful you become." That's a little ableist.
"Watch your gluten intake." I don't have celiac.
"When leaving home for a workout, slip into a coat (a light one if it's warm) or a full skirt. Add a scarf and sunglasses and step into demi heels or ballet flats." LOL! I'm going to wear stretchy pants, Brooks Adrenalines, and a visor to keep the sun from getting into my eyes. I will not be wearing heels while I take my dogs out for our morning constitutionals. When we leave at first light in the summer because it's the only time of day cool enough for little paws, I am absolutely not wearing any weight of coat. It's going to be a tank top for me.
Like I said, this book is clearly not aimed at me.
"I would never be caught in a tatty robe or sweatpants." Okay. I wear sweats like three times a week and I'm not about to stop.
"Glided on plenty of beige lip gloss." Who speaks about gliding on lip gloss?
"I keep two three-pound weights around to strengthen my arms." Good for her for maintaining her fitness. I have no doubt she is way fitter than I am. But it also annoys me when women stick to tiny weights.
Something about drinking nothing but a green smoothie in the morning. She seems to think there's adequate protein in kale. I'm not buying it.
"The healthier you become, the more beautiful you become." That's a little ableist.
"Watch your gluten intake." I don't have celiac.
"When leaving home for a workout, slip into a coat (a light one if it's warm) or a full skirt. Add a scarf and sunglasses and step into demi heels or ballet flats." LOL! I'm going to wear stretchy pants, Brooks Adrenalines, and a visor to keep the sun from getting into my eyes. I will not be wearing heels while I take my dogs out for our morning constitutionals. When we leave at first light in the summer because it's the only time of day cool enough for little paws, I am absolutely not wearing any weight of coat. It's going to be a tank top for me.
Like I said, this book is clearly not aimed at me.
irene_addler's review
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
I like Dita Von Teese, and she seems to be growing with the times, but this book is certainly a relic of it's time.
It was definitely fun to see how she lives and advice from her friends. She encourages the readers to embrace themselves--usually. The one flaw with her advice is the few times she says certain things must be done. (But goes on to suggest certain icons rocked things like a monobrow. Why can't the reader be the next person to rock something unique!)
I was disappointed with some of the editing too. Basics like "turn to page 000" were left in. I think the first edition lacks polish, which is shocking for a woman like Dita.
I have no idea if there are newer editions which tighten up the editing or anything else.
It's a fun read, but it's not a book I would recommend to all of my friends. Maybe just a few of them.
It was definitely fun to see how she lives and advice from her friends. She encourages the readers to embrace themselves--usually. The one flaw with her advice is the few times she says certain things must be done. (But goes on to suggest certain icons rocked things like a monobrow. Why can't the reader be the next person to rock something unique!)
I was disappointed with some of the editing too. Basics like "turn to page 000" were left in. I think the first edition lacks polish, which is shocking for a woman like Dita.
I have no idea if there are newer editions which tighten up the editing or anything else.
It's a fun read, but it's not a book I would recommend to all of my friends. Maybe just a few of them.
theblackviking's review
3.0
I've wanted to get my hands on this book for about 5 years! I, much like all of you, have admired Dita since I was fairly young so I feel a little dismayed by the book. I think she is a beautiful and talented powerhouse of a woman. I have always wanted to see her perform live. The tips, tricks and photographs are fantastic. Unfortunately, the more I read, the more I found myself beginning to hope that someone else wrote it (is this what we call a ghost writer?). I felt that the language was a bit unfriendly and presented her as pretentious (I think the editing probably needed help as well). Although I've never met her personally, she always seemed a proper lady through and through in any interview/outing I've seen. I was uncomfortable with her disgust and shame of body hair. All of us have it. I'm grateful she is transparent about everything she has and does but I would never want women to feel hideous because they have more body hair than the next girl.